There’s nothing like a road trip to ignite a sense of adventure—and that fact is just as true in books as it is in real life. YA road trip novels combine the excitement of travel with heartfelt character journeys, making them the perfect escape for readers craving a mix of wanderlust and emotional growth. From cross-country adventures to overseas escapades, these stories will take you along for the ride as their characters discover new places and, more importantly, themselves.
Pack your bags (or just your bookmark) and get ready to hit the road with these 13 YA road trip books that promise laughs, tears, and plenty of unforgettable moments.
1- Places We've Never Been by Kasie West
Norah and her childhood best friend, Skyler, reconnect during a cross-country RV road trip, but their reunion is rocky as old feelings resurface and new tensions build. As the summer unfolds, they each discover unexpected emotions, leading them to question whether their friendship could evolve into something more.
2- This One's for You by Kate Sweeney
Cass and Syd, former best friends, embark on a life-changing road trip to follow the reunion tour of the Darlas, the band Cass’s late mother was part of. As they journey across the country, they confront the past, their evolving emotions, and the possibility of rekindling their lost friendship.
3- A Walk Between Raindrops by Amalie Jahn
Seventeen-year-old Elise and her estranged younger sister Wylla embark on a cross-country road trip to visit ten amusement parks, hoping the adventure will help mend their fractured relationship. Amidst the rollercoasters and quirky companions, both sisters face personal struggles and hidden secrets that could either heal or destroy their bond forever.
4- Paper Towns by John Green
Of course, no YA road trip list would be complete without Paper Towns. Quentin Jacobsen has always admired Margo Roth Spiegelman from a distance, but when she pulls him into a night of elaborate pranks, he believes he's finally getting to know her. However, after Margo disappears the next day, Q embarks on a journey to unravel the mystery of her disappearance, only to discover that the more he uncovers, the less he understands the girl he thought he knew.
5- Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch
Addie travels to Ireland for her aunt’s extravagant wedding, hoping to escape the heartbreak that has been haunting her, but her tense relationship with her brother Ian only adds to her stress. When a quirky guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, leads them on a wild tour across the country with Ian and a charming Irish friend, Addie hopes the journey will heal both her heart and her fractured bond with her brother—if they don't get lost first.
6- Mosquitoland by David Arnold
After her family's collapse, Mim Malone escapes her new life in Mississippi and embarks on a Greyhound bus journey to be with her sick mother in Cleveland. Along the way, she encounters a colorful group of fellow travelers and confronts her inner struggles, challenging her understanding of love, loyalty, and sanity in this poignant and humorous modern odyssey.
7- Melt With You by Jennifer Dugan
Fallon and Chloe, former best friends turned estranged after a complicated summer fling, are forced to work together on a cross-country road trip in an ice cream truck to save their moms' business. As old tensions flare up, Fallon must navigate their simmering emotions while juggling the challenges of the trip and their complicated feelings for each other.
8- The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
Colby and Bev have always planned to spend a year traveling Europe after graduation, but when Bev unexpectedly decides to go to college instead, Colby is left to grapple with the shifting dynamics of their friendship and his uncertain future. As Bev's band tours the Pacific Northwest, Colby faces the challenge of redefining his path while navigating the complexities of growing apart from the person who once meant everything to him.
9- Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
After breaking up with her troublemaking boyfriend, Reagan O'Neill joins her best friend, country singer Lilah Montgomery, on a 24-city tour to heal from their respective heartbreaks. As Reagan tries to resist the allure of the charming opening act, Matt Finch, she learns that navigating fame, friendship, and love is never without its risks—but it's a journey worth taking.
10- Just Visiting by Dahlia Adler
Reagan and Victoria, two best friends from small-town Kansas, set out on a series of college visits, each hoping to escape their pasts and find a future that fits. As their plans unfold, both girls face unexpected heartbreak and realizations, forcing them to confront their secrets and decide if their friendship can survive the changes in their lives.
11- Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid
Leila unexpectedly crosses paths with four teens—Hudson, Bree, Elliot, and Sonia—at crucial moments in their lives, offering them a chance at friendship and adventure. As their lives intertwine and Leila embarks on her own journey of self-discovery, she learns that sometimes the most important truths are found when you least expect them, and getting lost along the way can lead you to exactly what you need.
12- Wanderlost by Jen Malone
Aubree Sadler’s summer takes an unexpected turn when she’s roped into leading a bus tour for senior citizens through Europe after her sister Elizabeth gets into trouble. As Aubree navigates the chaotic journey, a romance with Sam, the tour company owner’s son, blossoms amidst the European cities, but she soon faces the dilemma of balancing her growing feelings with her responsibilities to her sister.
13- The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody
After her father’s death, Ali inherits his prized 1968 Firebird convertible but plans to sell it to save her childhood home—if she can figure out how to drive it. With the help of her ex-boyfriend Nico, Ali embarks on a road trip up the Pacific coast, collecting valuable items along the way, and in the process, learns to understand her father’s life and the significance of ordinary things.
Whether you’re gearing up for a real-life road trip or just want to escape into one from the comfort of your couch, these YA novels will take you places. So buckle up, hit the road, and enjoy the ride!